I would like to thank staff, students and parents/carers alike if you were involved in any way with the recent CEO Cyclic Review which the College recently undertook. Whether you were interviewed, had a class visited or even if you completed a survey - your contribution is valued.

As previously indicated, each Diocesan School in Wollongong is reviewed at least once every five years to explore how it is fairing across many different dimensions. A team of external experts then considers the documentation and visits the school. This year they visited Magdalene for 2 days and then shared verbal commendations and recommendations to help guide the College’s subsequent strategic plan in the years that follow.

The official report will be received in due course; however, the Preliminary Report has seen the College roundly commended across numerous areas. These include:

• the quality of our students and the love of the College exhibited by them
• the positivity which students exhibit regarding their teachers
• the physical environs of the College (and the merits of future building plans)
• developments in literacy (including IDEAL and current literacy initiatives)
• Learning Support processes and practices
• the College’s newly refined Vision, Mission & Core Values
• the hard work and strategic directions of the Leadership team

While areas for future enhancement are of no surprise and are in keeping with the existing College Strategic Plan, they do provide us with confidence that we are headed in the right direction. Such areas include:

• ensuring newly revised Value statements are known by all in the community
• continuing the work stemming from the document “Students at the Centre” to ensure focused and strategic staff Professional Learning
• strengthening various staff role descriptions
• narrowing the College’s priorities
• continuing to build a collaborative and supportive academic culture which sees all community members promoting and anticipating high expectations for students.

As always, if there are any issues which you would like raised with the College, we encourage you to contact the College office; our Office Staff can then direct you to the most appropriate person.

Year 12 Gathering with the Bishop

On Wednesday our Year 12s travelled to John Therry for the annual gathering with the Bishop. Year 12 Students from St.Gregory’s, Chevalier, John Therry and Magdalene gathered to hear from and meet Bishop Brian Mascord.

A range of activities – from song, liturgy, a Kahoot, to moving speeches (including addresses by our Kirsten Burgess and our own Lauren Dady) and a Q and A Session in which key ethical and theological issues were spoken about regarding our Contemporary Church, all occurred on the day.

As you would expect, our Year 12s were immaculately behaved and entered wholly into the occasion. They are to be commended. Photographs of the event are included here.

UNIFORM SURVEY

A survey regarding the current College Uniform has been emailed to parents/carers.  Please spare 10 minutes and have this completed by Wednesday 28 August. 150+ responses have already been received over the past three days! Thank you!